Best (USA?) Electric Locomotive ever built

[daveklepper]

My vote is for the double-end streamlined New Haven EF-3

9000 HP short time rating, about half that continuosly

running gear a further development of the GG-1 4-6-6-4

Designed for 60 mph, often run at 70, occasionally clocked at 79. Some were boilder equipped for passenger service in and out of Penn Station (no dc capability for Grand Central)

There never was a freight train on the New Haven on the electrified lines that it could not handle singly, including up the Hell Gate Bridge grades. Although it was equipped for mu.

Was the equal of four GP-9's or two EF-4/E-33's (the ex-Virginians)

[Anonymous]

Its gotta be the GG1.With 5000hp, 70,700lbs of tractive effort, & the hit (cat stripe)
desing by Loewy, this locomotive was a sucess !

[espeefoamer]

I've got to go with the GG1.This was a very fast passenger loco,which was later adapted to haul freight.They lasted almost 50 years.They are my favorite electric engine.

[Anonymous]

What means "best"?

Best hauler?
(sweden,1999) IORE - 7000 hp, 156500 lbs TE
(south africa,1975) Class 9f - 5460 hp, 100000 lbs TE

Fastest?
(france.1990) TGV Atlantique Power Head - 5900 hp, 320mph
(germany, 1903) AEG Test Cars - 1000 hp, 130 mph

Most Famous?
(usa, 1935) GG1 - 4850 hp, 100 mph, 70000 lbs TE
(switzland, 1919) Be 6/8 (The Crocodile) - 3650 hp, 40 mph, 41000 lbs TE
(germany, 1970) BR 103 - 8090 hp, 125 mph, 70500 lbs TE

[Modelcar]

....The GG-1....Powerful, durable and extra long lasting....Good looking for the times too via R. Loewy. My experience was limited in the riding department but remembering a round trip to NYC over 60 years ago....when it coupled on at Harrisburg and moved us out and up to speed, that sensation is still in my memory...Fantastic...!

[Anonymous]

GG-1 I have heard stories about it's power under speed. I dont know if they are true. But one unit in particular fell into a Washington Station's basement and it was so stout that they hauled it out and put it back in service for the rest of it's life.

[Anonymous]

GG-1. It lased forever on 4 rr's.

[Anonymous]

GG-1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[passengerfan]

How about the GN W-1 5018 and 5019 they rode on B-D-D-B powered trucks and developed just over 5,000 hp. when they were delivered it took more than a three unit set of F-3s from EMD to match them for horsepower. They could pull anything the diesels or steam locos brought to them at Skykomish or Wenatchee.

[rf16a]

Pennsy's GG-1.

[Anonymous]

All around, everything considered, you have to go with the GG1.

Built for the ages, with a fantastic capacity for overload. Tremendous adhesion (didn't the prototype accelerate from 0 to 100 MPH with one coach repeatedly in an average time of 62 seconds?) (I'd have loved to be in that coach . . .)

Lasted a long, long time, too.

Old Timer

[eolafan]

No doubt at all...it's the GG1

[AntonioFP45]

The Pennsy GG!

Passenger version could haul a 20 car heavyweight passenger train at 100 m.p.h!

That was the America of the past!

[cpbloom]

[tup] No contest, GG1 !

[BNSFGP38]

GG-1.........n'uff said![}:)]

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

At the risk of being branded a heretic, I will cast a vote for the E44/E44a. It was an excellent rectifier locomotive that moved the freight for three diffferent owners. Its retirement was more the result of changing traffic patterns than poor design.

[spbed]

GG1. Used to be pulled by it from So. Amboy NJ to Newark NJ every workday. Used to watch it also be hooked on & off the train at So. Amboy as well.

[jchnhtfd]

Even without allowing for the date of the technology (1920s)

The GG-1. No question.

Some of the more modern electrics with modern technology may perhaps come close, all around, but...

I've also heard of the test that OldTimer refers to, but not been able to verify it -- but if it's true, I sure wish I'd been on board!!!

Power and speed? over 9,000 horsepower, short term (5 minute rating, traction motor limitation); overload power -- who knows, limited by the voltage drop under load in the catenary more than anything. Not only could they handle a train of 20 heavyweight pullmans at 100 mph -- and routinely did; it's in the schedules -- they could accelerate that same train out of the Hudson River tubes to full speed in about 3 miles.

[Modelcar]

...Old Timer: Believe that prototype still exists in the Strasburg Museum too.

[Rick Gates]

Since I used to run them, I admit to bias here. Definately the GG-1. Definately. lol That is, as an all-around best. Now if you have to maintain slower freight speeds on lots of grades and curves, for tractive effort there you need the E-33! The GG-1's could be drafty, noisy, cold, would frequently trip relays and have to be reset but; with 64 throttle notches to click through.......fun, fun, fun! [:D]

[Anonymous]

You guys forget that there was electric railroading west of Harrisburg. Don't forget the MIwaukee Road boxcabs (1915-1974) or the BiPolars. Yes, they weren't as fast as teh GG1, but they were sure good haulin' freight (and a few sleek passenger trains too) up those Mountains in MOntana and Washington.

[Rick Gates]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jwieczorek

You guys forget that there was electric railroading west of Harrisburg. Don't forget the MIwaukee Road boxcabs (1915-1974) or the BiPolars. Yes, they weren't as fast as teh GG1, but they were sure good haulin' freight (and a few sleek passenger trains too) up those Mountains in MOntana and Washington.

Yes, however; we were talking about the BEST electric locomotive! Yuk-yuk! [:-,]

[chad thomas]

please explain to me why they have so many notches.

[Rick Gates]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

please explain to me why they have so many notches.

Chad, I suppose it was because GG-1's were AC powered and with each notch you received instant and all power available in that notch. Having more notches and smaller increments of power in each helped in train handling. Too much power all at once would break knuckles and pull out drawbars. DC powered electrics have a smoother transition and need less notches. Hope this explaination helps. [;)]

[chad thomas]

Thanks Rick, that makes perfect sense. I didn't think about throttle response time.

[Anonymous]

The GG-1 seems to be a favorite

[Anonymous]

I voted for the GG1, but nobody's mentioned the box-cab siderod engines used by the Norfolk and Western and the Virginian in the Appalachians.

Some of the N&W engines (two-unit, phase converter AC engines) worked for 35 years hauling coal tonnage on 2% Elkhorn Mountain, as tough a duty as any locomotive ever had to deal with anywhere.

The Virginian engines (three-unit, phase converter) were more modern (N&W had four two-unit sets that were almost duplicates of these to go with their 12 earlier sets) from about ten years later, and had to do the same thing on Clark's Gap, VGN's own 2% climb out of the hole at Mullens, W. Va.

Ugly things, but were fascinating to watch and were never found wanting. They made real money for their owners.

Old Timer

[jeaton]

Being a life long middle westerner, I hate to have to concede anything to people east of Ohio, but the GG1 is probably the right call. After all, what would we know? Little Joes on the South Shore??

Jay

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by uzurpator

What means "best"?

Best hauler?
(sweden,1999) IORE - 7000 hp, 156500 lbs TE
(south africa,1975) Class 9f - 5460 hp, 100000 lbs TE

Fastest?
(france.1990) TGV Atlantique Power Head - 5900 hp, 320mph
(germany, 1903) AEG Test Cars - 1000 hp, 130 mph

Most Famous?
(usa, 1935) GG1 - 4850 hp, 100 mph, 70000 lbs TE
(switzland, 1919) Be 6/8 (The Crocodile) - 3650 hp, 40 mph, 41000 lbs TE
(germany, 1970) BR 103 - 8090 hp, 125 mph, 70500 lbs TE

The most powerful locomotive is I believe the Swedish IORE with an output of 14000hp and not 7000. Basically it is a derivative of the Eurosprinter locs like the one in my signature. Most Eurosprinter 4 axle locs are between 8000-9500hp, with the IORE having two transformers rather than the one.

here is a good picture...
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/se/private/MTAB/P1170079.jpg

But for US loc... I like the GG1 for a classic, but the Acela operated by Amtrak is my favorite... if it is indeed American..

click here for a cool clip of how fast it can go...
http://www.trainweb.org/railpix/video/Acela1.mpg

[Anonymous]

Well - If you count both head as one locomotive - then yes - it is 14000 hp. But both heads can be operated seperately - thus really 7000 hp per head (note that they are even numberd differently).

Abnd the most powerful in terms of power is russian E100 with jus 12600 hp in a single loco.

EDIT: and if by "truly american" you mean catastrophic failure then yes - Acela is truly american :p